Oral Answers to Questions — Roads – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 November 1947.
Mr. De la Bère:
asked the Minister of Transport, whether, in view of the severe handicap to farmers caused by the regulation now in force by which drivers of 12 months standing must be accompanied by a second driver until they have passed a test, which is often difficult to arrange, he will take steps to amend this regulation, bearing in mind the urgent need for increased food production.
Mr. De la Bère:
Surely, the Minister realises that I do not accept "No" for an answer? Is it not better to obtain more food production than to delay it in this way? This is not a safeguard. This regulation requires overhauling. Will he do something about it?
Mr James Callaghan
Parliamentary Secretary (Ministry of Transport)
This is a safeguard. However, if the hon. Gentleman will send me details of any case in which it is impeding the national effort, I will consider them.
Mr James Callaghan
Parliamentary Secretary (Ministry of Transport)
I am having my baptism of fire from the hon. Gentleman.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
